JESUS today YOU will SAVE me.
Eat This Book
Read Proverbs Chapter 20
Matthew 16
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
The POFW Daily Bible Reading 
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: THOU ART AN OFFENCE UNTO ME: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 16:23, 26 KJV
Peter’s carnal attitude and desires were actually offensive to Jesus. Peter should have understood by now that there was more to this life than living to please oneself. The very thought that Jesus would consider preserving His life and comfort at the expense of the souls of others was both demonic and appalling. Yet, carnal men live that way every day—they do what they want, giving absolutely no thought to how their actions could affect the hearts and souls of those around them.
Jesus spent His ministry trying to teach His apostles this simple premise: It’s not about you, it’s not about this life; it’s about souls being added to the Kingdom. We must choose between the self-seeking, self-pleasing carnal man and the cross-carrying, God’s-Kingdom-first spiritual men we are called to be. The former is an offense to the nature of our Holy God; the latter is His delight.
“That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:4-8 KJV
Verses 24-26 AMP “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity]. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Mark 8:36 ERV “It is worth nothing for you to have the whole world if you yourself are lost.” We have heard this VBS that when your lonely, when you worry and I believe that when your lost………”Jesus Rescues”.
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up His cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will loose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for hos soul?
Matthew 16:19 (English Amp) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven ; and whatever you bind ( declare to be improper and unlawful ) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose ( declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven. The world is not my home . Pick up the cross and follow Jesus.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Identify who He is!!! If you know who He is there are no fears, anxieties, worries, concerns, there is nothing that can disturb your Peace. Php 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Three only way for the church to be fully activated unless we as individuals give up our personal will for will of God. We must continue to pray that God will bring favor and that his desires will become ours. The Bible tells us that unless a grain of wheat fall to the ground and die, it cannot grow
8. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9. Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10. Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
How quickly we forget how He brought us through the last trial when the next trial comes along!
iLove the Kingdom
And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
In one sense this is funny…the disciples forget bread. “Oh no, how could you have forgotten the bread Matthew?” I can imagine them passing the buck down arguing, “I thought you had it…” This shows us that everyone has weaknesses and everyone can forget things. “This is why we have staff” so, we don’t for get the bread and milk.
One thing about it is, even though they forgot the bread, Jesus was not one little bit worried about it and the disciples should not have been worried as well. Jesus was on site and hey, hadn’t he multiplied the food before? If he did it before, he’ll do it again.
Matthew 16:25-26
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
15Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Are you prepared to answer this question? When someone asks you about being a Christian or why follow Jesus. We should be ready to give a testimony or how Jesus changed your life.
Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Matthew 16:12 NLT
The religious leaders of the times were once again came to tempt Jesus to step out of line. And Jesus retorted and they went away, but once they were alone again Jesus didn’t miss an opportunity to teach. Whoever is watching us, following us, listening to us it is our responsibility to guard, protect, and lead them on a godly path. Everyday there are multiple opportunities to mold, instruct and impact individuals. What impact are we making?
St. Matthew 16:12 (AMP)
“Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the (false) teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
“Beware of False Teachings”
Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
People say who they think he is. False doctrine have raised up through the years teaching and pretending like they know who’s he is. Is he John? Is he a prophet? But do you know who he really is?
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me,let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith , and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s. ”
Matthew 16:23 NLT
I wonder how many of us will get offended by this statement? Just a couple of chapters above Jesus had told Peter all of the great things he was going to do in Jesus Kingdom. One thing that I’m learning in life is the people that care for you soul will not speak too nice to you sometimes and will not tell you what you want to hear.
d take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
J.soliz
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Where Jesus asked the question who do you say I am it was in the northern part of Israel. A place where wickedness dwelt. The children of Israel began to believe in Gods of this world instead of God Almighty. It was in this land that Jesus asked His disciples who do men say I am they began to tell him but then turns the question and asked but who do you say I am?
It is easy to say what others have said or believe what others believe. Just go with the follow but to get truly know Jesus we all will have to answer the question who do I say He is? I believe we all will be taken to a place in our lives where the world will trying to tells what to believe and say and God will ask us the question what do you believe? Are you going to stand on my word or follow this world?
The only why to past this test is to have daily walk with God a relationship with the Almighty to say blessed be the name of the Lord good times or bad rich or poor you are God.
So the question for today is who do you say God is?
A healer a way maker one that saved you if not sure now is the time to find out what he is to you.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 7:24 – Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
If God is going to build his church on that rock, why don’t we build our house, our hearts and our lives in it too. Be a wise man
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Every man! Even the Proverb today says children are known by their acts. What fruit are we producing? Adults and young people, what fruits are we teaching and modeling for our children? These few days have been VBS and wow it’s crazy but it’s crazy good to see these children coming to church. We think they come just for snacks and games but let me tell you what, just last night there were kids in my crew asking, “Wait… God is Jesus??” during the Bible lesson 😆 they’re hungry and seeking truth! “He’s our Rescuer!”
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Growing up I had a friend who’s mother would always say; “simple obedience”. She would ask you to do something so random or didn’t make sense, and expected you to do it no questions asked, because of “simple obedience”.
Looking back, I can see that she was establishing within us a foundation of simple obedience. She knew that at times in our walk of God we would desire explanations or signs. Yet, with simple obedience comes greater blessings.
So practice just that, don’t ask for a sign, don’t desire the “why”, JUST DO IT with Simple Obedience.
Sometimes God’s plans may be difficult for us to understand. This was certainly true of Peter when Jesus began ‘to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.’ Peter was obviously committed to Jesus and thought he was speaking to his good… but he didn’t even recognize the work that Jesus desired to accomplish. He made the mistake of relying on his thinking and his understanding, when Jesus had been discipling him for years to follow his will.
Jesus’ response left no room for misunderstandings. ‘But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.’ To truly be effective in the kingdom of God, our desires need to be in line with his. That is why separation is so important in the kingdom of God. How can we expect to understand his desire for our life while we’re still enamoured of all our carnal desires? How can we feed those desires and somehow expect we’ll still have a greater hunger and thirst after the things of God? We need to allow our spiritual hunger to be fed to the point where we truly savour the things of God! When that hungrer becomes something we savour, those former desires begin to fade away. They no longer excite our passions, because we’ve developed passion for him!
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
I believe Peter was just thinking in a human mindset, and probably was confused when Jesus called him Satan. Peter knew Jesus was the greatest thing to happen him and other’s, but did not want to lose him in the physical form. But Jesus being “All Knowing” and knew the plan and will of God, which was to die for the sins of the whole world, and gift them in which those who believed “The Holy Spirit” was a better plan. Because on earth he couldn’t be all places at one time, but with his spirit he could. “Brilliant Thinking” from our Father which are in heaven. Peter was thinking selfishly and Jesus was thinking unselfishly. Jesus had a bigger plan for his storm he was to face, and the same with us at times, we want God to do things our way or how we think he will answer our prayer, but he sometimes throws us for a loop and does things or answer prayers in a way we would have never imagined. This passage just teaches me to be open to what God is doing, and not demand or want him to do something or answer a prayer for me in which I’m thinking he should. Love This… Reminder!
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Typically I think of this scripture of people that get so caught up in the materialistic things of this world that they lose out with God because they are so busy gathering those things they put their relationship with the Lord on the back burner and the world and all it offers in “stuff” becomes first and Lord in their lives. However, sometimes, we can be so educated by the world / knowledge that we become like the scribes have so much knowledge, that the simple things in serving the Lord such as praise, worship, soul winning, teaching bible studies, giving faithfully and sacrificially of our time, talent and treasure seems to be beneath us, that we are too good for that because of the knowledge we have gained.
Great point!
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Peter was given authority among the 12 disciples and when he gives instructions on the day of Pentecost and beyond, we can be sure his word is truth.
16:8 which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because have not brought no bread?
9.- Do you ye not understanding , neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how man basket ye took up?
—————
By our reaction to situations, circumstances we show wether we are still in the faith, or forgot…. they just saw, experienced a great miracle and can’t comprehend another similar situation? They focus On the moment, forgetting what just happened before.
From faith to faith, that’s how I want my life, my walk with God to be. So Let us pray and watch.
Faith, unshakable faith! A faith outhout limits…
When I was younger and a lower level NCO in the Air Force, we visited my father. He told me how disappointing my life had turned out because he thought better of me. You see my 2 brothers and sister had very successful careers and I was just getting by. Yet, in that moment of feeling shamed (because no one can shame you like your own father) and at my lowest, my heavenly Father came
through. All of a sudden, this Scripture welled up inside me and as I spoke it I felt the love of God justifying me. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Even my father had to admit that was a good point. I am so thankful that, ” When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
Psalms 27:10 KJV
Our God is faithful, kind and loving. He will never let us down!
THY KINGDOM COME
KINGDOM REVELATION
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and ow many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
The KINGDOM REVELATION that we witness here is very possible and visible to us. JESUS reminds us of the natural turned supernatural. To which HE is the author of them both.
KINGDOM REVELATION is that as JESUS provides the NATURAL HE also provides the SUPERNATURAL. JESUS warns that HIS Kingdom is that HIS Kingdom and that we should not become so dependent on the NATURAL traditions of man that we cannot allow the SUPERNATURAL power of GOD.
The traditions and doctrines of the Pharisees and Saducees was so entrenched in the past laws and traditions they were not able to all GOD to do the SUPERNATURAL among them.
We must hold fast the doctrines of the WORD of GOD, Repentance, Baptism in JESUS Name, Holy Ghost infilling, Holiness lifestyle and communion. We must also allow GOD to reveal HIS creative power and provision to operate HIS Kingdom.
iRepent
iPraise
iPray
iWork
iGive
iReap
iGo
iBlessYouInTheNameOfTheLordJESUS
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
If you think about it, this life we have here on earth is just an introduction to eternity. But what we do with our life while we are here, will determine where our eternity is spent.
Nothing we can posses in this world will be able to buy our way into heaven.
Nothing we posses in this world will be taken with us into eternity.
I know we need money, food, clothes, etc, to live on this earth, but when we become more concerned with gaining those things then we do with obtaining the things of God, we lose our focus, and lose out on an eternity spent with God!
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Sounds like that has always been a problem or more of an excuse……
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Who is He to you? Is God just another deity that means little to you? I pray not!!!! He is the creator of us all, the way maker, miracle work.
Matthew 16
Oh Ye of Little Faith
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
How often we forget the many times He has blessed and we fret over the littlest things in life.
Jesus had just fed a multitude of people and the disciples were concerned about eating. What God really wants us for our eyes to stay on Him. He will provide right on time. Thankful for all His blessings!
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:13-16 KJV
Jesus said who do these people think I am. Some said John some Said Elias, Jerimiah, a prophet?
Well He asked his disciples the same thing and they said “well you’re the son of God, you’re Christ!”
We gotta know who Jesus is because like I’ve said it before there’s so many folk out there wondering who Jesus is or think they got it all figured out.
We may not have it figured out but maybe we can give them a revelation that will change their life. Like Jesus name baptism, or One God, One Faith, One baptism!
Be a witness and share the gospel tell someone who Jesus really is!
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
The disciples recollection that they have forgotten to bring bread on their trip prompts a lesson from Jesus on “the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees”. The confused disciples may be thinking of the food that satisfies the fleshly hunger. Jesus is talking about spiritual food. The warning he gives to the disciples repeats a warning “Be on your guard” (Matt 16:11). He wants the disciples to think deeply and figure out for themselves that just as little yeast pr leaven can permeate the whole loaf of bread, so the “yeast” of the religious leaders, their unwillingness to acknowledge the truth, can spread to others. We must protect our hearts and minds from the polluted pr infected doctrines of the world. It matters what we allow ourselves to listen to, because it can become the words we speak, the actions we take and the path we walk. Yeast is a small thing but it’s powerful if you give it the ability to grow/rise as with dough, even a mustard seed is small but with faith even that size can move mountains.
Brother Morgan touched on
Matthew 16 in Wednesday
night service, if you have
You tube
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Peter, has just been called and qualified to deliver the doctrine.
Thank you Jesus!
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Christians are servants of God. Such servants are selfless and only focus on accomplishing their master’s will and to please Him. They seek His face daily and set God’s word in their hearts. They have an intimate relationship with the Creator and make huge sacrifices for Him having faith they will see Jesus glorified. Being a Christian is not easy, but it’s worth it. God loves us and will not forsake us. He is for us and will help us pass by this world to His home if we have faith in Him and obey Him.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Even if it seems to be a “good” for you or for your benefit, but if it’s distracting from God’s will in your life it’s not a blessing nor it’s from God. There is a purpose and plan for your life. One must seek God and acknowledge him that he may direct your path.
The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were opposed to each other in principles and in conduct; yet they joined against Christ. But they desired a sign of their own choosing: they despised those signs which relieved the necessity of the sick and sorrowful, and called for something else which would gratify the curiosity of the proud. It is great hypocrisy, when we slight the signs of God’s ordaining, to seek for signs of our own devising.
“Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”
Matthew 16:6 KJV
The leavening of the Pharisees and the Sadducees is what we are to not have. The leavening in the bread is what puffs it, like yeast. The puffing of the bread is the extra, the fluff. When the people focus on the fluff of a religion is when they are in the leavening. When you step away from the Bible and what is my says is when you get into the fluff.
Also the fluff is like the pride. The Pharisees and the Sadducees took pride in thinking they were correct and everyone else was wrong. Staying with the scriptures helps keep a person grounded and out of pride.
“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
Matthew 16:23 KJV
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 16:26 KJV
Life and death are earthly institutions. God gave life in the earth and he took it away on the earth, but in heaven and hell souls live forever. The Bible doesn’t tell us when angels began to exist. Michael and Gabriel have been there forever. God has no beginning and no ending so he doesn’t look at life and death gr same way we do. Our earthly lives are not as import to him. What is important to him is our eternity. Jesus called Pater “satan” because satan lost his place in heaven and he became an earthly institution. Satan’s biggest trick is to get us concerned with life and death and our minds off of heaven and hell. People are so scared of dying that they live their lives ina riot of happiness, bucket lists, or thinking on things of earth instead of things of heaven. The pursuit of happiness is one of satan’s Biggest ploys on humanity. When Elisha’s servant was focused on the carnal reality infront of him, his eyes were blinded to the heavenly hosts around him. The firey chariots were there to deliver him and he didn’t even know it. Satan works on our focus. Our focus directs where we are going, what we believe, and who we are. Jesus called peter satan because his focus was on things of earth and not on things of heaven.